Board supports Elburn coffeehouse facade upgrade

ELBURN—The new coffeehouse in town will soon get a face lift, thanks in part to a $5,000 facade grant from the village of Elburn.

Tony and Ann Cobb of Elburn, owners of The Corner Grind, on Monday presented their plan to revamp the front of their new venture at 2 S. Main St.

The Cobbs recently bought the building at the corner of Main Street and First Street and had planned to open the coffeehouse in May. However, when the temperatures plummeted to double digits below zero this past winter, the pipes in the empty apartment upstairs froze and broke, flooding the first floor.

Tony said the damage to the storefront was mostly cosmetic, but has taken a lot of time to repair. The water damage did not reach as far back as the kitchen, he said.

The Cobbs, who also own Riverside Banquets in Batavia, plan to have the commercial kitchen serve a dual purpose to expand Riverview’s catering business farther west, as well as to support the Elburn location.

In addition to a full menu of coffee and specialty coffee drinks, The Corner Grind will also serve a variety of baked goods, sandwiches and snacks. Due to local popular demand, the pair said they will also serve donuts.

Plans for the facade upgrade include replacing the two front doors with vintage-style wooden doors with windows. White and yellow lettering spelling out the name “Corner Grind” will provide a contrast for four black awnings made from a cloth similar to the other businesses on Main Street. Iron window box planters for flowers will be placed beneath the store window.

The Cobbs estimate that the total cost of the project will be between $10,000 and $15,000. The Village Board agreed on Monday to reimburse the Cobbs for a maximum of $5,000 toward the project. The vote to approve the Cobb’s grant application will take place at the next board meeting on Monday, June 2.

The village’s Facade Improvement Program has funding set aside to assist business owners with storefront improvements along Main Street in downtown Elburn. Village Board approval is required for a reimbursement of up to one-half of the cost of improvements up to a maximum of $5,000.

The Cobbs plan to open The Corner Grind on Aug. 1.

“We’re tickled pink that you’re here,” Village President Dave Anderson said to the Cobbs.